The Vancouver Whitecaps won their first MLS home opener in seven years as they defeated the current MLS Cup holders LA Galaxy 2-1 at BC Place.
Pedro Vite was involved in both goals for the Whitecaps, making the initial cross on the first and assisting on the second.
Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen credited the work of the previous regime that has enabled him to build on.
“I came in and inherited a team that was structured and in good shape. And we didn’t have that many changes over winter,” he said.
Sørensen opted for squad strength over consistency in his starting XI. Resting Ryan Gauld, Ranko Veselinović, and Andrés Cubas for the midweek match against Deportivo Saprissa, all three returned as starters for the match against the Galaxy.
Jayden Nelson was also handed his third start in a row for his new club. Already a growing fan favourite, the 22-year-old Canadian player has found a home on the right wing.
The Whitecaps did not have to wait long to assert themselves. Mathías Laborda found Vite on the right deep in the Galaxy’s 18-yard box. The Ecuadorian midfielder crossed the dangerous ball towards goal, and though Novak Mićović was able to get a hand on it, it was not enough to palm it away.
Sam Adekugbe jumped on the spilled ball for the game’s opening goal in the 3rd minute.
It was the fullback’s second goal of the young 2025 season.
The Whitecaps came close to adding another 10 minutes later. Brian White turned with the ball and found a streaking Gauld up the right. His cross was laid in beautifully for Nelson. However, the young Canadian still had work to do, gaining position on the Galaxy defender.
Nelson was successful in bodying his way through but could not beak Micovic who was up to the task this time.
Unfortunately, Adekugebe had to leave the match early in the 31st minute. Looking to aggravate his knee, a recurring injury from last year, he immediately signalled the bench as he went down.
“It was a quad injury,” Sørensen said of Adekugbe. “I don’t know how bad it is. We don’t know that yet.”
The Galaxy would find their equalizer in the 39th minute. Gabriel Pec took advantage of Yohei Takaoka being out of his net with a well-placed shot off the inside of the post.
Sørensen said the last bit of the first half was “a bit flat,” and the break was used to get the team back to their principles.
“We changed a few things,” he said. “And I think it worked out well. And I think the team looked aggressive and on the front foot in the second half.”
Cooling their emotions at the half, the Whitecaps returned to the second 45 minutes with a renewed sense of their philosophy. But the late goal from the Galaxy had given the visitors belief as well.
The addition of Ali Ahmed and J. C. Ngando with half an hour to go gave the Whitecaps an added offensive boost. It almost paid off in the 66th minute as Ngando found himself with space inside the 18-yard box but was unable to keep the ball down.
It would take until near the end of the 90-minute regulation time for the Whitecaps to find the winner.
White connected onto the end of a perfectly weighted Vite cross. His header in the 87th minute was his first goal of the MLS season and his third goal in two games across all competitions.
Nine minutes of extra time was not enough for the Galaxy to find their way back in as the Whitecaps comfortably held on for their perfect start to the MLS season.
Pedro Vite’s time to shine
Vite was involved in both Whitecap’s goals, providing the initial cross for the first one and assisting on the second.
Sørensen called Vite “an extraordinary talent.”
He’s still a young man,” Sørensen added. “And he’s doing very, very well. Today, I think he was quite dominant, and I think what we’ve seen from him the last [few] games here, the beginning of the season, has been uplifting for me. And I hope that’s the player we see going forward because then he will be a profile in this league.”
Vite began the match as part of the midfield three, on the right, playing with Cubas and Sebastian Berhalter. In the second half, he was moved further up, attacking down the right as Nelson and later Ahmed played in behind him.
“He’s contributed with goals, assists, but there’s so many other things that he does well as well. I think he’s been a really great player to watch the first few games here.”
Up next
The matches are thick and fast right now. On Wednesday, March 5, the Whitecaps will be back in CONCACAF Champions Cup action, facing C.F. Monterrey in the Round of 16.
Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m. at BC Place.
